There’s a few different ways on How to Get a Smooth Finish with Chalk Paint. My favorite technique right now is using a foam roller. We’ll talk more about that process in this blog post. You can also use a paint sprayer that is designed for chalk paint. Or you can use a hand brush and if you apply the paint correctly it will come out nice and smooth. You can follow us on Instagram for all the behind the scenes.
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How to Get a Smooth Finish with Chalk Paint
To begin the painting process we started by wiping down the piece with TSP. You can even use Dawn dish soap to wipe away the grim. I would recommend using TSP on all the chalk paint projects you do, from furniture to home decor. Once it was wiped down we looked for any flaws on the piece, this one had drill holes. So we got wood putty and filled in the holes. You want to wait until it’s completely dry then sand it. At the bottom of this post I have some frequently asked questions that might be helpful to you. But if you are wanting to try this but are a little scared with attempting, I do have an ebook that will help. A chalk painting ebook is available on my blog, and it will help you with all the basics of chalk painting to get started!
Chalk Paint DIY
Once the putty is sanded down smooth, putting a primer down will really help. When you are sanding down to raw wood, Boss by Dixie Belle will give you a really even paint finish. On this piece we didn’t have to prime the whole thing. So we just covered the spots where we sanded.
How to Chalk Paint a Bed Frame
Now that the primer is dry it is time to paint. I would start by watering down the paint a little, so it goes on thinner which will help get a smoother look. We used Fluff by Dixie Belle. Start by using a paint brush and getting in all the cracks and corners. If I were you I would do a quick layer with the paint brush and let that dry completely. Time to get the smooth look! With your watered down paint, use a foam roller to apply the paint to the bed frame. Do a complete second coat and let that dry. However many coats you do make sure the previous layer is completely dry.
Chalk Paint with a Paint Roller
Once my layers were dry I went back through with my paint brush and the foam roller. With the paint brush I touched up the parts that the wood was still showing through, then went over the brush marks with the foam roller. There it is, a perfectly smooth chalk painted bed frame! Take a look at how we chalk painted leather.
Since this was going in my room, I wanted a little bit of a distressed look. With my hand sander I lightly sanded over the details. I have this bed frame available in my Etsy shop.
Here it is in our bedroom, and I love it! The subtle distressing adds a bit more character to the room. As you can see it has such a smooth finish, and does not show brush marks. That is exactly what we were going for!
Now here are some frequently asked questions. Let me know if I can help you on any of your chalk painting projects!
Can you use a foam roller with chalk paint?
Yes you can. I would just do a first coat with a paint brush, then the second coat with the foam roller. It just gives a softer look.
How do I get a smooth finish on wood?
I would water down the chalk paint so it goes on thinner and smoother. If it is rough wood, I would first sand a little, then paint.
Can you seal chalk paint with polycrylic?
Yes. I do that for most of my mirrors that I chalk paint. I use a spray polycrylic. For furniture pieces, I like to wax them. But you can also seal furniture with polycrylic.
Check out our Chalk Painting over Metal Blog post here for more! Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to follow us on our socials for more!
Hey there! I am Rhonda Hallstrom, creator and designer of Hallstrom Home. Making beautiful home decor is my way to inspire you to follow your dreams and amibitions. So come check out my shop and blog, I hope to get to know you. Thanks for stopping by at Hallstrom Home, Rhonda.
Hi ,I have just moved into a house with all mahogany skirting boards and door frames. Can I chalk paint them all? I don’t want to replace them. Thank you. Shona
yes you can!
I am redoing an antique dresser for my guest bedroom. Using Dixie Belle butter cream. Hoping it’s not too yellow, but didn’t want stark white like fluff. Would you paint the hardware a glossy or satin black? My 1st chalk painting try. Hopefully it will turn our gorgeous! I’m horrible at making decisions, so I’m looking for your professional choice! Thank you so much for your awesome tips!!!
I think a satin would look so good!
Hi, I’m getting ready to redo an old kitchen hutch that belong to my great great grandmother I’m not sure about what kind of paint is on it. It has been painted over by my late grandmother. I’m afraid it might be oil based paint not for sure. Can I sand it lightly and go ahead and paint with the chalk paint or do I have to strip all the paint off first? Or can I send it lightly and use a primer but if I need to do a primer what kind of primer do I need to use?
Personally I would just lightly sand and then paint with chalk paint. But if you want to I would use a Dixie Belle Primer and then paint over that! Hope it works out great for you
Looking to chalk painting for the very first time and very nervous about it. I am looking for a white distressed look but not super white. Should I go with the buttercream color or is that really yellowish? Also to distress it, should I sand it or use a wax and wipe off. The piece is a coffee table in dark moghagany.
I would use a mix of buttercream and solid white to get that in-between color. If you want a deep distress look I suggest using Vaseline. A lot more wood would show through. I am really into a simple distress now so just take a small sander and you’ll get a light distress if thats what you are going for.
I have this same bed frame! I’m wanting to paint over it with the rust-oleum white chalk paint. Did you sand the whole thing before painting?
Hey there, I didn’t sand anything, I try not to unless there is bad peeling or rough edges
I’m painting a desk using rustoleum linen white. I’ve brushed the skirting edging and rolled the top and sides with a foam roller but it’s left little bumps instead if the smooth surface I was after. I thought it would flatten. If I paint the next coat with a brush will it become smooth???
I would highly recommend sanding those bumps out before you add your next layer of paint. You might get more bumps. I personally do not like the rustoleum chalk paint because I have to add a lot more layers to get the look I want.
I am about to paint a very similar bed so thank you very much for the tips! I am about to order the same paint as you…how much do you recommend buying for a bed like that. The only difference is that mine has two drawers in the footboard. Thank you!
Hi Lauren,
I would suggest using two 32 oz cans of paint for your project
I’d like to chalk paint my cherry rice bedroom set either white or grey. I also want to add a black glaze or wax to highlight the detailed areas. What is the best way to achieve this? Do I need to clear wax and then add the black to the detailed spots and wipe off?
Hello Elizabeth,
That would give you the best look to manage, so do the clear wax then add the black and smudge off.
I’d like to paint my sleigh bed blue. Do you have any suggestions of what chalk paint to use or any other tips?
I suggest using Fusion mineral for outdoor furniture or use Dixie Bell chalk paint for indoor.
Great post! Refinishing a piece of furniture now and glad I reviewed this first.
Can you tell me where you got that rug. I love it and have been looking for something similar. Thanks!
I can’t find the exact rug but we did some digging and found a link from Walmart for this rug that is very similar
https://rstyle.me/+564bCiOnVBZh0qslVJLAfQ
Best, Rhonda
Thanks for this. Please let me know if I can use polyurethane clear coat over my furniture to seal in the chalk paint.
Also where I live there are very few options of diy paints and only one chalk paint brand which I will try for the first time. Their polyurethane coat comes in matte and semi gloss only, which would you recommend? Especially for an entry way console? Thanks!
A polyurethane is great for sealing furniture. If I were you I would order online to get the best brand.
Hi, using a white chalk paint for my brown four poster bed, what primer would you recommend please, in Australia.
I know Dixie Belles Boss works great, I’m just not sure if you can get it over there.
Hello! I am doing my very first project and I’m so nervous. I am looking to chalk paint our sleigh bed, dresser and night stands. It’s a very heavy set and dark wood (not quite cherry but dark. Do I need to sand or just paint with the chalk paint? I want to do a light grey.
Typically with chalk paint you don’t need to sand. But if it has a light shine, you can give it a very light sanding all over to adhere better sticking.
I’m planning on painting my sleigh bed (it’s almost identical to yours!). How much chalk paint would you recommend I purchase to complete this?
It actually used quite a bit, I would get 2 32oz containers of Dixie Belle paint.
I am new to using chalk paint. I used Krylon Misty Grey chalk paint to redo a nightstand and krylon chaly finish clear sealing wax. The sealing wax made it look yellow. Is there any way to get the yellow out or does it need to be sanded?
I don’t use Krylon sealing wax the only way to get rid of that is to repaint it. I would definitely look at what brands you are using, as they will give you different results. We have a chalk paint ebook that goes over all the brands.
https://www.hallstromhome.com/e-books/
Hi I am getting ready to paint a piece using Fusion chalk paint. I want to have a smooth finish look. Is that a good brand to use to achieve that? Also the piece is very smooth and shiny. Should I sand it down and use primer?
Fusion is a great brand for a smooth look. You can give it a very light sanding overtop just so it adheres even better.